The tragic end of the fighter who popularized and became a UFC legend

The UFC, the world’s leading mixed martial arts company, is in mourning. The thing is Stefano Bonnar, who played a major role in the growth of the sport and the popularity of the events, has died after suffering a heart condition of which no further details have been provided. He was 45 years old.

Bonnar, who was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2013, died Thursday, though the news came Sunday, after suffering a heart complication “while working,” according to the UFC statement that it did not specify what duty he spent his time on.

Bonnar, a native of Indiana, had a final record of 15 wins and 9 losses, competing against Tito Ortiz in his last fight at the Bellator 131 show in 2014.

In 2005, he participated in the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, the UFC fight program. He reached the final of the competition with a spectacular and bloody fight against Forest Griffin.

Griffin won by unanimous decision, but the ratings the fight received – the first to be televised outside of the PPV system – are believed to have been instrumental in generating attention to the sport and popularity of the competition across the Internet and online. Spike TVwho broadcast the fight.

“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to compete in the Octagon,” he said. Dane White, president of the UFC, in a statement. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever and will never be forgotten. The fans loved him, they related to him and he always gave them the best. He will be missed.”

Bonnar is not unknown in the professional wrestling world. He has played a total of 16 matches in different promotions, highlighting his appearances in Impact Wrestling, where he wrestled 3 times. His loss to Moose at Victory Road 2019 is the most remembered of his wrestling career.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Stephan Bonnar. We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time,” Impact Wrestling wrote in a statement posted on its official website.